Kyle, He/Him
“Coming to Maine was the best thing that could have happened to me. It was first place that I was always queer; that no one had known me as closeted. So for the first time I got to be my authentic self from day one. I carry that with me everywhere. As a leader, I am loudly queer so that everyone can see the spaces I create are safe for all. As an artist, my identity helps me tell my stories authentically. My hope is that my work paves the way so that the next generation of artists and leaders have the framework to support everyone and build up from there."
Yusur, They/Them
“Exploring my gender identity and self in general has been a terrifying but a beautiful journey. I've struggled a lot with finding a label for myself. On one of the days that I've been having a crisis about who I am, a dear friend told md something that I will carry with me forever. She told me "Yusur is whoever you want them to be." It was a simple statement but I think about it everyday. I think about my whole life and how I lived only to satisfy a version of someone else's imagined Yusur. But I'm learning to be myself. I'm learning that I can be trans and queer and present in whatever way I want and I'll still be me.”
Roux, He/Him
“My philosophy on business is to be serious about what you do but have fun doing it. Let it live in the part of you that you love, that you look forward to seeing every day. That’s where you will find creativity, inspiration, and motivation to keep doing what you do best.”
Charlie, She/They & Justin, He/Him
“Charlie, Artist and director of Queer Craft ME: “I’m an artist because I want to see change in the world. I want to create spaces that welcome neurodivergence, racial diversity, disability, and queerness. The fact that I can do something that makes people feel included and valued by putting some colors and shapes out into the world, it’s my own kind of magic.”
Justin, Freelance marketer and publicist for artists, and media coordinator for Queer Craft ME: “When people ask me why it's do important to see positive and accurate depictions of LGBTQ+ characters in all kinds of stories, (books, comics, TV, movies, etc.) I tell people that not everyone has the opportunity to interact with that community or every segment of that community themselves. That means the only impression of the community comes from the media they consume. Media shapes so much of who we are. If all queer characters are unlikable characters, it contributes to negative stereotypes. If they are sometimes likeable and sometimes unlikable, this reflects the real word and people won't assume anything about queer people. As you experience stories, it's a good idea to keep in mind how different groups are portrayed.”
Kyah, She/They
“I’m a lifelong Mainer who can't fathom why anyone wouldn't want to live in the woods, minutes from lakes and the ocean. Find me in my natural habitats; doing theatre in Portland, swimming in Sebago, or picking up dead stuff on Higgins Beach. My husband and my three cats (Saffron, @Marquis_Xavier_Bonpurr, and Raichu) and my hamster, Apricot, are my entire heart.”
Jen/Benny, She/Her
“Jen describes herself as a “47 yo fierce queer femme. Grief cartographer. Suitor of joy. Aspiring beam of light. Lover of books and poetry and music and art. Practitioner of stitchcraft. Nature devotee. Dilettante chef. Amateur wordsmith. Collector of oddities. Maker. Roller skater. Aficionado of confetti, bubbles, and glow sticks. And hater of small talk. 'Everything but "I LOVE YOU" is small talk.'-Andrea Gibson.”
Jess, They/Them & Courtney, They/Them
“We became best friends while living at the teen shelter 6 years ago, and now we’re organizers with Maine People’s Housing Coalition. MPHC’s mission is to decriminalize, destigmatize, and ultimately end homelessness through political action and mutual aid." Jess and Courtney were both active organizers of the Encampment outside of Portland City Hall in 2020, and continue to tirelessly work toward @phc_me’s mission to this day.
Rylan, They/Them
“My writing often explores identity, isolation, queerness, and is always inspired and informed by living in Maine. Right now I am working on revising a work of fiction that delves into queer inheritance and what we pass on to the next generation of our community. I think for many LGBTQ folks, one’s family tree isn’t necessarily a linear concept. We cultivate our own circles of support and the heirs to what we leave behind could be anyone we share an identity with — and I think that’s pretty magical. Part of what I love about my job at The Telling Room in Portland is that I have the opportunity to support and celebrate queer youth who are writing in our state. I’m inspired by their work every day, and I hope that by amplifying and lifting up their voices we can create a richer literary landscape that’s inclusive of LGBTQ experiences in every genre. It’s never too early to take someone’s writing seriously and to support them as they grow as an author.”
Kari, She/Her
“My name is Kari (she/her). I am a person in recovery and a harm reduction advocate. I am the Executive Director of The Church of Safe Injection and a peer support specialist at Spurwink on the Opioid Home Health team. I enjoy fall in Maine and just living in the moment. I always enjoy a good protest for a good cause or encampments at city hall.”
Mat, He/Him
“I’ve always been a very curious person, motivated by the feeling of awe. Not just thrill seeking but rather the connection between myself and the world around me, a connection that intensifies every time I lose myself in wonder. So, I suppose that’s how I like to live my life, in search of wonder and awe – whether that be in people, places, experiences or more often than not, the natural world. Someone recently described me as an experience collector, and that resonated with me greatly. Since a young age I’ve recognized the danger in sacrificing experiences and what our soul needs now, by banking on the idea we could get to it later. It seldom seemed to work out for anyone, as the future is wildly unpredictable. I understood who I wanted to be and how I wanted to live by observing so many adults I never wanted to become. I hope that doesn’t sound cold but it’s true. As a people we’ve become horribly disconnected from the natural world and forced into a system often designed to dim our light – and I’ve never wanted anything to do with that. So I try my best to live intentionally, kindly and with passion. I have travelled the world, embarked on unbelievable adventures, and met the most beautiful people along the way. It’s not been easy and at times its been incredibly messy, but I’m happy. Not that I want to leave this world tomorrow – but if I did, I am content. Seriously. Everything past this moment just seems like a bonus round. And who knows, perhaps when it’s my turn to be an old man, a young queer kid will look at me and say – hell, that’s someone I’d like to be someday.
Proudly helping queers buy/sell homes. Mat@sellingmainehomes.com. Your local Queerestate Agent*”
Bridget, They/Them
“I moved to Maine during the pandemic. It was a bit hard to build community but I’m getting there. But it’s also taught me to be okay on my own and to do more on my own than I ever thought I could.” Thank you so much for doing this it was great to see you last week. Let’s catch up again soon!”
Patrick, He/Him
“Quarantine finally made me take a second to see the person staring back at me in the mirror was a broken one. I was taught at a young age to keep a happy face on but having nothing but time makes a person reflect and see what can truly be changed if one wants to. Once I did that I realized that doors could be open and my dreams could be obtained. I’m now finally getting to live out the dreams 10 year old Patrick wanted for himself. I wanted to be a teacher, a chef, and an actor. I get to teach high school age kids about culinary and am a drag Queen under the name Ophelia Johnson. I have a loving husband and tons of cats, and with all these joys self doubt can still sneak in. It’s an everyday battle but I’m here for the fight.”
Hallie, They/Them & Eva, They/Them
“We’re new to Portland excited about meeting all the queers and all the mountains in Maine—especially the queers who want to (slowly and joyfully) climb the mountains.”
Nicole, She/They
“It's taken me a long time to learn how to be comfortable in both my own skin and with my sexuality. Not every day is easy, but I'm figuring out how to celebrate the person that I am and who I've yet to become. When I moved back home to Maine pre-pandemic, everything was different. It solidified just how constant change can be, and that it's okay. This year I picked up a camera and took my love of photography as something worth sharing with people. I'm enjoying every minute of it. Being behind the lens, I want to give others the chance to feel good, too. Hopefully I can get to know some of you on my journey."
Knate, He/They
“I’ve been a lot of things in my short lifetime. Drag, Magick, Art, Teaching, Love; they’re all an act of temperance. Great things happen in that weird liminal space, between one place and the next.”
Liam, He/They
“Liam, you can put on literally any outfit and be confident. you're a queer icon." --recent five-star yelp review. "Liam (he/they) is a 35-year-old poet, musician, and visual artist. he is queer, trans/genderqueer, and demisexual. he is polyamorous and has two lovely longterm partners. he will always be one of the best listeners you know. liam's art, and his gentle boldness, challenges the status quo. liam's work explores gender and queerness, classism, mental health, the sacred and the profane, the painful sweetness of love, the dimensions of desire, and the tempting shadow sides of religion and human nature. liam has a tendency to be mischievous; his loved ones have a term, "Liam'ing," for when he is trying to convince them that there are 15 types of metal that legally must be used in building treeforts. liam's debut poetry chapbook, EVERY DAY A DIFFERENT DAREDEVIL, is available through @LUPERCALIApress (2021).”
Lindsey, She/Her
“I finally feel at home in Portland. After years of struggling with my identity. I feel that I’m finally surrounded by a loving supporting community who give me the strength and courage to be myself & explore who I am.”
Jaime, He/Him
“I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be happy and connected. I keep struggling with certain ideas, like the feeling that I need to be constantly productive, or that I have to meet a certain aesthetic or professional standard to have value. I've worked hard over the years to unlearn those ideas, and I take extra care not to believe those things about others... but it's especially hard to unlearn those things in reference to myself. I'm gonna continue working on accepting my 'flaws', probably for the rest of my life, but I am finding that work a lot more tolerable when I move through it with community. As long as you have compassion, lead authentically with love and are doing your best, you're flawless. I think, anyway."
Tadin, He/Him
“It took me a long time to understand and feel confident expressing my queer identify. As a cis man who presents fairly masc, I often felt uncomfortable with what being a man was supposed to look like a according to society. Eventually I realized I could express my feminine side and could wear clothing that reflected that, and that wouldn't make me less of a man. I feel very grateful for the community around me that's supported me throughout my life. I still have a long way to go but getting better every day."
Lauren, They/Them & Shaun, She/Her
“Shaun: “‘We are powerful because we have survived, and that is what it is all about- survival and growth.’ ― Audre Lorde. There have been times in my life I haven’t had a voice. Powerlessness at the hands of others. I have had my own journey reclaiming my voice, my autonomy, my agency, and my power. I am a survivor! I get to choose today - One of the choices I make each day, is to work for a social justice agency that holds space for survivors of gender based violence. Empowering others to find their voices and their power. I am a proud queer from Maine!”
Lauren: “~I didn't choose the priest life, the priest life chose me~ There's a saying the we should be the people we never had as a kid. That's one part of why I live visibly as a Queer, Transgender non-binary faith leader. I live visibly for those who can't, for those who are finding their way, for those who need to see someone like me in a position like this to help them believe they are valid, worthy, and loved. God loves you! And so do I. And if you aren't into God, that's cool, we still love you. Let's grab coffee and talk about all the things. Especially if you're into justice and making the world a better place for all that finds home in this world we live in!”
Ryn, She/They
“When things feel imbalanced, I go to the ocean. I watch the trees. My therapist says I should take myself out on dates, so I’ve been driving along the coast, stopping anywhere with a scenic view, and drinking bubbly water infused with hemp or CBD. I’m not sure if it calms me or if it’s placebo, but does it really matter? I just moved to Portland a month ago and I’m feeling grounded. I’m also learning how to skateboard so queer skaters wya.”
Michael, He/Him
“I’ve lived in South Portland for the last 20 years and I have been fortunate enough to be a part of an amazing theater community, with theaters within a few streets of each other. South Portland is home to two venerable community theaters, Lyric Music Theater and The Portland Players. Community theater has given me many opportunities and I am thankful. But like all theaters, and the arts in general, the pandemic has hit hard. With my home theater, The Portland Players, it has been sixteen plus months of no income. But hopefully, all local arts organizations will be able to keep going and continue to bring art, theater, music and dance to our wonderful city. Please, donate to your favorite local creative groups and keep the community rich with the arts!!”
Kai, They/Them
“I moved to Millinocket in early 2018 after my little one was born and had to hide my queerness for survival. I moved back the end of 2018/early 2019 and have had to navigate finding my space in the local queer community altogether again. It’s harder now that I’m a parent, I don’t have the same opportunities for outings and events. The pandemic definitely put a hold on a lot too. I officially came out as non-binary during the pandemic (and have been out as pan sexual for years) and it’s been a an interesting journey navigating that especially when I couldn’t see friends or talk to anyone. It would be nice to have more kid friendly queer friends in my circle. The biggest thing I’ve learned though regardless of everything is that I don’t owe anyone an explanation of my queerness to still be queer, I don’t need to hide who I am to still want respect, and I don’t owe anyone androgyny. Everything else is just about my happiness and keeping my little one happy and healthy.”
Sam, They/Them & Airynn, She/Her
“We are two hearts but with one beat. Two brains but with one thought. Two souls but with one… shoe.’ - Alfalfa”
Mack, They/Them
“Work hard, be kind.”
Sam, He/Him
“Quarantine was difficult - lonely, divisive, and exhausting. But, during COVID I learned to love a little differently. I think COVID brought humanity to the front. I learned to love deeply and radically. I was reminded of personhood, I got to meet and love my neighbors in a whole new way. I was reminded that everyone is deserving of love. Everyone. No exceptions. Hard stop. Support your unhoused neighbors. Show compassion and love recklessly.”
Jess, She/Her
“I’ve been doing a lot of learning and unlearning about myself and who I want to be in the world. In the last year or so, I’ve gotten myself quite comfy with the fact that I am queer, polyamorous, and definitely still a work in progress.. which is totally okay, because I get to make my own timeline in life. I have an adorable polycule and I feel immensely lucky to surround myself with so many lovely people. I took time during quarantine to get certified as a realtor, and I’m excited to be in a “professional” career where I can still have purple hair and swear a lot in front of clients (hit me up on @jessgrayrealtor if you need a sassy queer pro who will work exceptionally hard for you). I’m just trying every day to be authentic and loving, to others AND to myself. And I’m also doing things like baking all the time, questing for tiny Miller High Life bottles, and trying to force my dog to snuggle with me. TL;DR Life is a lot but it can be pretty lovely sometimes.”
Nick, He/Him
“I have been trying to queer up any space I'm in lately, especially while at work. I think it's important to represent the community but also represent and make space for myself.”
Mel, They/Them & Pete, He/They
“Mel: “Hello, I’m new here. During the pandemic, a lot of priorities shifted for me. I left my toxic, full time job. I prioritized my health. I left NYC and moved here. And, of course, pursued making art & freelancing full time. Portland, Maine is the first place that has ever felt like home for me. I’m looking forward to planting my roots here & making new friends!”
Pete: “I feel truly blessed to live in such a welcoming community, surrounded by beautiful nature. I’m gonna be friends with everyone here.”
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Chris, He/Him
“Life happens fast. It’s ok to slow down. Take naps.”
Lydia, She/Her
“I moved to Maine almost 4 years ago and have spent much of the last few years creating a positive self-love and acceptance with my identity as a bisexual woman. Though I’ve developed lovely relationships with coworkers, friends, and partners, I’d really like to find more of a home in the Maine queer community. I enjoy kickboxing, rock climbing, nature walking, coffee and cocktail drinking, Mexican food eating, and petting other people’s dogs. If any of these things sound like fun to you, I’d love to hear from ya!”
Chelsea, She/Her & Laura, She/Her
“Chelsea: “I believe in taking risks, and that you can reinvent the path of your life- even though it’s scary to do it. My wife and I fell in love over 10 years ago- which made us change the paths we were on to create our new happy life! This spring I overcame my fears and created a plus size consignment boutique. I launched @artemisplussize, a resale shop/co-op where you can sell and buy affordable plus size thrift. The shop is going strong with diverse styles and celebrates all plus sized bodies! I’m really excited to grow on this new creative path!”
Laura: “There is no discovery without risk and what you risk reveals what you value” - Jeanette Winterson
Whitney, She/Her
“Making jelly is my newest passion. I’ve started foraging over the past year, inspired by @blackforager. Foraging has pulled me out of the apartment during depressive episodes, taught me how to mark the changing of seasons, and how to live in balance with my surroundings. I’ve made lots of treats this year - crabapple jelly and crabapple cider vinegar (I even have a vinegar mother now!), autumn olive jam, apple butter/sauce and apple cider, pear jam, dandelion jelly, rose hip tea, pine tip syrup. Food is my love language, so foraging has also given me a way to bestow my friends and family with little reminders of my affection while we’ve been separated.”
Owen, They/Them
“I strongly believe that most, if not all, of life’s most important lessons are eloquently conveyed through the shenanigans of Calvin and Hobbes.”
Tori, She/They & Brian, He/Him
“Ryleigh is our big baby. She’s four but acts like a big puppy. We have so much fun together with her. Me and Bri were friends in high school but reconnected about two years ago and we adopted Ryleigh about four months ago. Ry Ry previously belonged to my dad & his partner Melissa. Melissa passed away in 2020 so I’m really thankful to have Ry-Ry with me. Something else I want to say is harm reduction saves lives. I am a naloxone distributor w Maine Access Points (MAP) and I hope when ever someone walks by and sees me smoking weed on the front steps and baby yodi holding narcan on the mailbox they will feel free to ask me about naloxone for themselves or their loved ones. Thank God for community , mutual aid and dogs.”
Dax, He/Him
“I’m a social worker, I’m in recovery, I’m biracial, I’m gay, I make techno music, I’m a Pisces and my saving grace is Leo moon. I moved to Portland from boston about five years ago, to start over. My life was out of control, and I was finally ready to try something new. I’m very grateful for all of the wonderful people I’ve met here who’ve helped me along my way. Cancel culture is something that I have come to understand as poisonous. Having difficult, awkward, messy, in other words “honest” conversations is the only way out. When we can sit with one another and not leave till the conclusion. If love is not the conclusion, the work is not done.”
Ollie, He/Him
“Loves to take any opportunity he can to adventure! Ollie is always searching for new places to explore and to enjoy others company. Creating is a very spiritual passion for him, whether it is photography, design, painting or fabric dying. He is always looking for ways to incorporate a message into his work. Activism and Social Justice are very important to him! Ollie is always ready to rally and have conversations about the ways we can all pitch in and be better allies to our communities. #BLM #TransLivesMatter #housingisahumanright #NarcanSavesLives.”
Beka, She/Her
“I’m a quintessential Libra sun, lover of all things pink, devoted Swiftie, interior designer who’s bored by your white kitchen, cat mom, aspiring roller-skater, and lifetime Acadia hiker. I’ve been many different versions of myself. It took me 24 years, a decision to finally live for me, and the most wonderful friends I’ve ever known to find this version: the one I love the most, the one that feels the truest. I’m immensely proud to finally know that I’m a lesbian, and to be a part of this gorgeous LGBTQ+ community! To anyone still figuring themselves out: take your time exploring the identity and/or sexuality that feels like “home” to you. And don’t forget that there’s a whole bunch of us waiting for you on the other end with open arms, whenever you’re ready."
Beth (She/Her) and Tania Sturtevant (She/Her) with their daughter Sophia (She/They)
“We have been together for 31 years now! It hardly seems possible, time passes so quickly. We became parents more than 20 years ago to our daughter Sophia; best decision ever.”
James, They/Them
“When Kyle Warnock agreed to be involved in my upcoming photo series and asked me to be involved with his in return, I was thrilled. As two very different photographers both primarily photographing queer subjects in very different ways, our meeting in real life had been quite overdue. However, I was NOT prepared for this photoshoot. I had misunderstood the plans we made and thought that ~I~ would be shooting ~him~ on this day. Not the other way around. I'm happy that's what happened though, because I think not having put myself in the headspace of "I'm being photographed today" until moments beforehand added an extra layer of vulnerability to shoot that might not have been there otherwise. For me, so much of the portraiture I do is about finding beauty, power, and authenticity in those moments of vulnerability. I'm delighted with the sides of me Kyle witnessed: someone who is often a little bit flustered, typically a little bit self conscious, and usually a lot bit goofy.”
Devan, He/Him
“Life is quite simply a journey of self discovery. As a young gay man who has spent most of his life in small-town Maine it took me a while to truly find “me.” To have your family and friends accept you for who you are is one thing, but to accept yourself is another. For some it can take a lifetime.
I did not come dancing out of the closet. It was gradual and quite hard. I slowly peeled back the layers of repression that had built up during childhood. The more people I told the more I became comfortable. Regardless how much of a struggle it was, it was ever so worth it.
This past year at home has allowed many of us to reevaluate ourselves. At this point in my life I can say that I have truly reached a point of self acceptance and love. It’s a great feeling...one that I think everyone deserves. It only took me 18 years.”
Ian, They/Them
“Queer is the best word to describe me, there are other more specific terms, of course, but queer encapsulates my heart more than anything else I've encountered."
Eddie, He/Him
“My parents served in the military and so, growing up, I was able to see a lot of the world. We moved a lot, and sometimes this took us overseas to other countries. People would often ask me if it was hard moving all the time. When you’re that young and moving frequently, it just becomes normal. It IS sometimes hard to leave a place or friends behind, but i think the one thing that always carried me forward was the thought that “If I didnt move, I wouldn’t have met the people that are in my life” .I wouldn’t have seen or experienced the different languages, and cultures that are out there. You take little pieces of those places and people with you. I think traveling is incredibly important because it dispels a lot of the illusions and fears we may have of each other. Traveling shapes you, and the connections we make sometimes flesh out the details of our character. When getting to know me, you’re getting to know the echoes of friends and loved ones that I met along the way, that are very dear to my heart. I love art, I love to create and give my imagination an outlet to tell a story. I’m a huge advocate for fitness in the context of bettering ones mental health. Exercise gives my mind and body the movement and clarity it needs to stay grounded and positive. I love horror and comedy. I dabble in Astrology and love all things occult. Traveling is important to me, in case that wasn’t apparent. I love my friends and family, including the queer ones I’ve made here in Portland. I love the Queer community of Portland and seeing them being represented through this page! Most of all, I love my raccoon husband of 10 years @grex5000 , you might have the others fooled, but i know a raccoon when i see one!”
Dylan, He/Him
“I first moved to Maine in October of 2012, shortly after a break up. My best friend from college came with me and we temporarily hunkered down in my parent's beach house. This would turn out to be one of the first times I learned that relocating physically doesn't really solve your problems -- and maybe I wasn't ready to admit things weren't going so well within me. I only lasted here for six months. Four years and a lifetime later, I moved back to Maine circumstantially after a death in my immediate family. It's been a long journey, but I'm happy to report that things have never been better. And even though I'm not much of an "ocean person", I recognize how important it is that so much of me is water. I'm finally just thankful to be alive.”
Nicole, She/Her
“I'm a queer femme printmaker (@radicalemprints / radicalemprints.com) & freelance graphic designer. Pisces sun/Taurus moon/Leo rising. Typography nerd. Probably too earnest but what's a Pisces to do when the world is always on fire? Deeply grateful to be a part of the community of beautiful & badass printmakers at @pickwickindependentpress. Also: hang in there, friends. Queers know that our connections to each other are strong enough to get us through many storms."
Rebecca, They/Them
“COVID winter was rough. Around mid-January, I couldn’t stop crying. Friends and coworkers were starting to notice. I finally worked up the energy to make a doctor’s appointment, sobbing the whole time. She started me on a new medication, saying, “We weren’t meant to be in fight or flight for this long.”
Recently, I saddled up my roommate’s dog for a walk at Pleasant Hill Preserve. The air was thick and fresh. Mud pulled at our feet. We watched the birds gossip and fly below fast-moving clouds. For the first time in a while, I thought, “I’m glad I’m still here.”
Demetri, He/Him
“In quarantine I needed community more than ever. I always knew about this vibrant intersection of queer folk and extreme music. I missed going to shows and connecting with this community so badly that I decided to start the podcast to reach out and say "You're not alone, Punk!" The response has been so affirming from my queer family! And SURPRISE, the gays are very good at getting though tough times!"
Nat, She/Her & Joey, He/Him
“I’m Nat. She/Her pronouns. We just moved to Portland in the fall & are looking to make some friends! I’m a photographer. I love working with people. I specialize in boudoir, portraits, engagement shoots, nudes and fine art photography. My Instagram is @natkeltonphoto. My partner Joey (He/Him), deals in antiques & collectibles. He specializes in ephemera from the turn of the century. His Instagram is @n_j_antiques. We’d love some friends to go thrifting with or try out new coffee shops!”
Laura, She/Her
“Rediscovering, relearning, and healing myself and as a queer, polyamorous woman has been like coming up for air, my lungs burn and I’m a bit scared, but for the first time in a long time I feel totally in awe of the person I’ve become. My younger self would have never believed any of this were possible.”
Gabrielle, She/They
“I’m leaving Greater Portland again at the end of the summer to manifest my caretaker dreams at Yale University. In a few years I’ll finally be a midwife & nurse practitioner. I spent about 10 years to make this happen, and what I have learned along the way is that the best way to take care of others is taking care of yourself first. Greater Portland is forever one of my homes though. It’s not ever goodbye, it’s see ya later.”
Minx, They/Them
“Always inspired by Queen B. Making Portland feel like home as a biracial, gender fluid queer person has been a challenge. But every day I wake up and live my fantasy and you can’t tell me anything about it.”
Hayli, She/Her & Ophelia, She/Her
“Since moving to rural Scarborough in 2019, we’ve missed the queerness and vibrancy of Portland. But staying at home through the pandemic has helped us make the most of this place we call home. We painted our house purple. We fly our Pride and Black Lives Matter flags along with the original Maine flag. We strive to be good landlords for the lovely people that have lived in our second unit. We build new trails in our woods to share with neighbors. When we hear folks say that they want to keep their towns the way they are, that they don't want their perfect slice of Maine to change, that comes through our filters of being visibly queer people or being a person of color too frequently told to "go back to her country." No place is stagnant. And shouldn't we hope that places change for the better because we dared to exist there? Scarborough is changing. Queer people have come before us. Queer people are still here. And we hope we’re queering the community to help others feel safer and bolder.”
Kit, They/Them
“Non-binary/agender. Therapist for transgender and queer youth. Appalachian Trail ‘13 thru-hiker. Nerd alumnus of the Maine School of Science and Math. Bicoastal coast guard kid. Greek roots without any culinary skills. Polyamorous houseplant person. Laughter enthusiast. A young person once told me I was probably made out of rainbows, and I’m pretty sure I’ve spent the entirety of my life trying to live up to that.”
Aly, She/Her
“When I first identified as bisexual in middle school, classmates thought I was saying it because I was an attention hog. I come to you today proudly saying; both realities are true. For those, like me, who continually struggle with imposter syndrome because you don't "fit" into the LGBTQ+ box you resonate with, you are always evolving and there can be more than one "genuine" you. Like Oscar Wilde said, ‘Be yourself, everyone else is taken.’”
Alexis, She/Her
“Finding a community and expressing myself has been one of the most liberating experiences in my adult life. Joining this project out together by @truthspeaks207 has been one of the most rewarding things I've done since moving to Portland. Being true to myself while celebrating other community members and listening to their stories has been inspiring. Dance Activism has allowed me to find a path to healing and reconciliation with apart of me I've long neglected. I'm excited for my "rebirth" and to dance my way into my actualized self.”
Marina, She/Her
“I moved back to Maine to be near family. For nearly a decade, I spent more time on busses trying to get to my family than actually with them. With covid, I live within 15 minutes of so many of the people I love, and I can’t see them. When I feel isolated I take to the woods. It’s my solace from missing them.”
Audrey, She/They & Mea They/Them
“We’ve spent so much time in the last year together, just the two of us, between quarantines, shelter-in-place and working from home, that we’ve basically developed a secret language. And sometimes we worry that we’ll never be able to integrate back into society. We make make each other laugh everyday, we planted a bunch of garlic, and our parakeets have learned how to imitate the sounds of the oven.”
Emery, They/Them
“Mainer born and raised. Loud, queer, and definitely weird. I am currently a nursing student and work full time at a psych hospital in the adolescent unit. I absolutely love working with these teens and hope to eventually open a foster home to provide a safe queer space for teens that may have never experienced that. In my free time, I love exploring the woods with my pup Hobbes and also training martial arts. My gender identify has been a long exploration and I am finally beginning to feel comfortable in my own body. It’s been amazing to see so many like minded people through this project! Keep being you, fighting all the bullshit stigmas, and let your queerness thrive!"
Oronde, He/Him & Catherine, She/Her
“This photo feels incomplete with just two of us representing Speak About It. We wish we could cram all 10 of our staff, every educator from the past ten years, and literally every human who has helped us in ways big and small into this photo. Our hearts long to see that photo: a gorgeous rainbow of folks from Portland and beyond who have shown up for this little non-profit. There are countless people who have helped build this organization and who want to build a future where inclusive, affirmative, consent and sex education is accessible to everyone, and where honest conversations about boundaries and desires are the norm. If we did put everyone who has loved on SAI in one photo, a huge part of that photo would be Portland's queer community. We would not be here--literally the two of us would not be here in this goofy photo and Speak About It would not be here--if it weren't for the love and support that the queer community has so consistently and generously shared."
Meg, They/Them
“I want to remind folks that you can explore your gender identity and/or expression at any time in your life. For me, being a woman fit for a long time. Then, in college, womanhood felt like an itchy sweater that I couldn’t take off. Luckily, I had a good friend talk with me about gender identity over breakfast one day. I expressed how I felt about my gender, and they offered to refer to me with they/them pronouns. It felt like they were giving me the gift of a new sweater, one that I could try on just around them to see if it felt cozy. It felt perfect. So, despite what the world might be telling you, you DESERVE to take the space to explore your gender identity. You deserve to find a sweater that fits.”
Samaa, She/Her.
“One of the whitest things about the late 1980s was Nestle's ad campaign designed to convince us that their white chocolate bars (Alpine White bars) were actual chocolate rather than the sweet wax we all knew them to be.”